to think anyone contributing to a Christmas thread in July needs to find a life?

[MardyBra]

They're popping up already.

Instead of planning Christmas now, go out and enjoy the summer.

I need to hide the Christmas topic until December, don't I?

[glenthebattleostrich]

It's the most wonderful time of the year, tra la la

I hate summer. I burn even though I reapply factor 50 every half an hour, I get hayfever which in turn can trigger my asthma. It gets humid which triggers my asthma and excema and there are thunderstorms which regularly cause me to have to visit hospital with my asthma. At least at Christmas time I can stay indoors and drink copious amounts of wine hot chocolate and not have to shave my legs.

Also, the summer holidays means everywhere is crowded with other peoples children (a pet hate of mine) and I have to look at lots of mens burnt moobs. Roll on Christmas ...

[iclaudius]

Agree op I think if you spend half the year chatting about one day half a year later - something is wrong . Very wrong

[specialsubject]

what would be more reasonable is for people who are on a tight budget to forget about retailmas, and stop buying useless crap for all and sundry.

if you need to spread the cost or go without other stuff, you don't have enough money for tat and tinsel. The kids don't need all the clutter either.

(pulls on flame-proof shorts...)

[MrsBungle]

I love Christmas and am happy to talk about it anytime!

I absolutely understand why people would start shopping now. Christmas is expensive. I don't understand why people get worked up about this! Dh is the same. Can't mention Christmas until December!

[Mrsrobertduvall]

Buy less for fewer people.

Plan to do 5:2 diet on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Job done.

(I think we are the only household to be mince pie/turkey/chocolate free over Christmas)

[buzzgirly]

I love Christmas, it's the best time of the year. If you have a problem with it just don't open any of the threads - quite simple really.

[MadeOfStarDust]

For me it's Christmas most of the year round.... I make decorations from felt and beads - to sell in November at the Christmas fairs.... - gives me enough money for new materials and pay for my Christmas and the kids piano lessons....

[weebarra]

Personally, I use that thread to keep an eye on bargains. I saved a lot of money last year. With DC3 due within the next month, we'll be on a tight budget, so I find it's best to plan.

[Flobbadobs]

Look. Those of us who like Christmas, enjoy the preparation and want to buy nice presents (not tat, how very dare you!! ) on a budget do so and want to discuss things online. Thats presumably why MNHQ don't shut down the Christmas thread on Boxing Day and open it again in November. It's open all year round. Horses for courses people, I find threads that annoy me on a regular basis but don't shout about it, I'm sure most of us are the same.
Hide the damn topic if it annoys you so much and stop assuming we're sad people with no life!!
Lammas Blessings to fellow Pagans )o(

[DesperatelySeekingSedatives]

I buy stuff now to spread the cost personally. Not all by any stretch but stocking fillers, cheap things for other peoples' kids that sort of thing.

I'd happily go and "enjoy the summer" except its raining right now and has been all this week. there isn't much to enjoy.

The only christmas threads I've seen are in the christmas topic, so very easy to avoid for those who have no interest yet or don't celebrate it. Just don't click on "christmas" and you wont see them. Sorted.

[TerraNotSoFirma]

How very unkind Mardy.
I have a life thank you very much.
Hide topics you find distasteful if they bother you that much, no need to insult anyone.

[Cheeseatmidnight]

Rude! I am a crafter so have Christmas orders in now.

[ihategeorgeosborne]

I have to confess that I bought my 2 yr old ds a garage the other day as it was on sale, reduced from £29.99 to £9.99. I thought it was a bargain. It will be his main christmas present. I plan to get him a set of hot wheels to go with it. Job done. That's one child sorted!

[morethanpotatoprints]

I have started buying bits as ime these are the things that end up costing the most. I also have few times to shop without my dd so have to make good use of those times.
There are many reasons why people start early, nobody is asking you to contribute to the threads, nor start your shopping.

[GemmaTeller]

I've spent the last week photographing my christmas stock.....

[BeaWheesht]

I have a life as much as anyone else on MN and I have contributed to the Christmas thread.

Ds and Dh both have birthdays at Christmas and I'm rubbish at saving up. Also my kids are usually non stop ill from October onwards. I wouldn't buy clothes / big presents Before November time but I've bought 1/2 price horrible histories sets, a 1/2 price playmobil set and some books.

[MardyBra]

OK, I've obviously got a few backs up with my ranty wording of the thread title, so I apologise for that.

But with regards to the rest of the OP, I really, honestly, cannot see the point of spending six months plotting and planning for one day of the year.

Gemma, that's understandable that you're photographing now, as you obviously have a large base of tempting to write something derogatory but scared I'll offend again customers, who'll be wanting to buy from you months in advance.

[Lilicat1013]

At the moment my life is miserable, I am dealing with post natal depression without medication (I am epileptic, anti convulsion and anti depressants don't mix). My older son is autistic and going nuts because it is the holidays, every single day he attacks me and his baby brother. He screams constantly and is trashing the house.

I don't drive (due to epilepsy), I can't take them out anywhere on public transport as my older son can't cope and can't be out any longer than the time between bottles because I can't give my young son a bottle while out as it would mean taking my eyes of my older son who would run.

When my husband works the children are the only people I see all day and the only option of things we have to do is the park or the pet shop, over and over again because that is all that is do-able without help.

The heat increases the risk of seizures so if it is too hot we don't leave the house, my older son hates this and his behaviour deteriorates further.

Christmas planning gets me through the day, it reminds me there is something to look forward to and that things are going to get easier.

[marriedinwhiteisback]

I've just started my summer holiday but I luffs christmas and I think about it every day. DS was born Xmas Day 1994 - it's a very speshul day and I always luffed it and luff it more now - every time I look at the big lumbering lad I think about christmas. Having a Christmas day birthday in the family takes some planning OP!! S do the presents, the wrappping, the cards, the posting, the shopping, the decorations, the food, the visitors, the parties, the joy. The church services, the concerts, the mulled wine, the baking. Someone tell me how many more sleeps. But of course forst we have to get back from hols, get dd back to school, ds to uni harvest festival, half term, advent, oh it's fab and I love it all :)a

[marriedinwhiteisback]

Oh Lillcat - massive hugs -. Hope it gets better soon.

[Lilicat1013]

Thank you so much, Marriedinwhite, we are starting with Home Start now so I am hoping things will get easier.

It is just August to get through then he is back to preschool, he loves his preschool they are wonderful to him and he is so much happier in a routine.

[OliviaIsOffTheGinMumsnet]

@MardyBra

I need to hide the Christmas topic until December, don't I?

Yes.

[PeanutButterMmm]

Shops sell everything half price all the time nowadays. It is not like the days when everything got really expensive before christmas with sales after christmas. All year round is the sales now and with online being cheaper too so those saying they are buying now when it is cheaper are talking nonsense.

Just put some money by each month and be done. The only time I could see it being sensible to buy now would be those who have very large families to buy for so take the stress from buying all at once. Although both mine and my dh have all our families birthdays in december (which was weird) so I have to buy double. I can't say I have ever panicked about presents though, it all gets done.

[SuckAtRelationships]

Last year I HAD to start planning in July to afford it (was on benefits then)

Today I mentioned it because I bought my first pressie. It was by accident really. I was buying a birthday present and saw something else that would be great for the person so thought I would get it while it was still around and it could be a Christmas present! :o